Traditionally speaking: New twists for modern weddings

Tuesday

May 29, 2012 at 12:01 AMMay 29, 2012 at 10:35 AM

A garter toss? The first dance? The bride and groom not seeing each other before the wedding? Fifty years ago, a wedding without these tried-and-true traditions just wouldn’t cut the cake. However, today’s nuptials are a breed of their own, with most couples striving for a truly unique affair. That said, tradition still plays a starring role in modern weddings, but couples decide which ones best represent their relationship and those they love. Read on for the latest trends in wedding traditions.

Molly Logan Anderson

A garter toss? The first dance? The bride and groom not seeing each other before the wedding? Fifty years ago, a wedding without these tried-and-true traditions just wouldn’t cut the cake. However, today’s nuptials are a breed of their own, with most couples striving for a truly unique affair. That said, tradition still plays a starring role in modern weddings, but couples decide which ones best represent their relationship and those they love. Read on for the latest trends in wedding traditions.

Staying power of traditions

There is no doubt that traditions are still an integral component in weddings, just as they have been throughout history.

“Traditions play an important role in weddings because they give people something that has been passed down from generation to generation,” says Sasha Souza, nationally recognized wedding designer, innovator and trendsetter, as well as author of “Signature Sasha: Magnificent Weddings by Design.”

“And since weddings are about family, those traditions are somewhat important.”

According to Souza, today’s couples find ways to integrate traditions in their own way and by doing so, show how they will stand together in their marriage.

Blending old and new

With an eye on traditional significance, couples seek out ways to incorporate old and new traditions. For instance, a bride’s family might prefer her to be married on a forecasted “lucky day” and she’ll plan accordingly, as she understands how much this means to her loved ones.

On the other hand, the same couple might do away with a garter toss or cake cutting because it has no meaning to anyone involved.

Evolving traditions

Traditions have evolved over time and have emerged refreshed. Couples adhere to traditions that have a strong family or cultural meaning, sort of a peacekeeping effort, as described by Souza.

”What is happening now is that couples are seeking to alter some of the older traditions and put a more modern spin on them,” says Souza, also the founding president of Wish Upon a Wedding. “This creates new traditions that can then be part of their newly created family.”

Moving into the future

As traditions evolve, some old ways are disappearing. Souza advises that most couples have done away with the tradition of not seeing each other before the wedding.

“The first look provides them with a time to be together and connect before the wedding takes place,” she advises.

According to Souza, emerging traditions all circle around making the guests feel included in the day.

“It’s no longer the bride’s and groom’s most special day because couples have realized that without love and support in their lives, they would not be who they are both as individuals and as a couple,” says Souza. “They get strength from their friends and family.”

Couples include friends and family by keeping wedding size down, which creates opportunities to implement more interesting aesthetic design choices, like a recent ceremony planned by Souza, where guests sat inside a circle and took turns telling stories or reading poems or scripture. Another couple that Souza assisted invited guests through a “memory lane” of images in which guests are pictured as well.

In situations like this, “the experience for the guest is heightened because they are more invested in the ceremony,” Souza says.

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